Hi Coherent Computer Solutions,
Thanks for posting to answers.microsoft.com community forum.
Realize that you have submitted answers to many forum users from our discussion threads and wanted to say thank you for that.
Since, I've just reviewed the information in this post, I wanted to ask the following questions.
Sometimes, computers come pre-installed with 30 day trial software to various programs.
Sometimes one of those programs are Anti-Virus related.
I've seen these programs just being installed on systems cause issues very much like experienced here.
What I would suggest if this is the case is to use the REMOVAL TOOL of the manufacturer for that virus software - whether you've ever used it, or whether it has never been activated on your system - then try the install again.
This is because of past experiences after trying many, many, many, steps a resolution was achieved after doing that step.
Here are the summary of steps that I would take, and some you have already done, but, if you would accomplish these steps in this order and let us know the outcome, we really appreciate
it.
(Again, thanks for posting to our forum group as an initiator of questions and in many cases responding to other community users on their questions.
)
- For any Anti-Virus Software, installed or just pre-loaded by the manufacturer.
Ran the Manufacturer of the Softwares removal tool to uninstall all instances.
NOTE: You need to verify you have the media key and media to reinstall such items if desired.
----I am not recommending never running Anti-Virus software as this is not a safe solution, just temporarily as we troubleshoot this issue.
- Next, let's rename the Software Distribution folder;
- How to rename the Software Distribution folder in Windows Vista:
- Stop the Windows Update service (make sure you are logged on as an Administrator).
Go to Start button > Control Panel >System and Maintenance >Administrative Tools.
Double-click on Services. You will need to provide the Administrator password or confirmation if you are prompted to do so. Right-click the Windows Update service and click, Stop.
- Click Start, type %windir% in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. (Note: %windir% is the Windows directory where Windows Vista is installed). This will bring up a window of the Windows directory so you can locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution
folder. Rename it to SoftwareDistributionOld.
- Start the Windows Update service.
Go to Start button > Control Panel >System and Maintenance >Administrative Tools.
Double-click on Services. You will need to provide the Administrator password or confirmation
if you are prompted to do so. Right-click the Windows Update service and click, Start.
This procedure will erase your history on the Windows Update service. It is okay to erase the history.
- You will need to reboot your system. Without rebooting, the new folder for Software Distribution cannot be successfully created.
- Run CheckSur -
| Running the<br>System Update Readiness Tool… |
| <ol><br><li> <ol><br><li><span>You will first need to download the utility.</span><ul><br><li><span>System Update Readiness Tool for<br></span><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2889489c-ee87-4607-8aa5-812e8078ab27&DisplayLang=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight:bold">Windows Vista</span></a><br></li><li><span>System Update Readiness Tool for<br></span><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=14f76773-007c-493f-bece-243bc21ac73d&DisplayLang=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight:bold">Windows Vista x64</span></a><br></li></ul><br></li></ol><ol><br><li><span>Click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Download</span><span>, and then<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Open</span><span> when prompted.</span><br></li><li><span>Once the download completes click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">OK</span><span> on the<br></span><span style="font-style:italic">Windows Update Standalone Installer</span><span> notification.</span><br></li><li><span>You will see<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">The updates are being installed</span><span> with a progress bar – do not cancel this process.</span><br></li><li><span>You will receive an onscreen notification saying that the update has been successfully installed.</span><br></li><li><span>The results of this tool are output to a log file stored on your computer which you will need to retrieve.</span><br></li><li><span>Please click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Start</span><span>, click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Computer</span><span>, click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Local Disk (C:)</span><span> or whichever drive Windows is installed to.</span><br></li><li><span>Then click on the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Windows</span><span> folder, click on the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Logs</span><span> folder, and click on the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">CBS</span><span> folder.<br></span></li><li><span>Within the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">CBS</span><span> folder open the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">CheckSUR</span><span> log file.</span><br></li><li><span>Copy the contents of this file, and paste it into your reply.</span><br></li></ol><br><p><br>If you do not know which to choose <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827218" target="_blank"><br>click here for help</a>.</p><br></li></ol> |
- Boot your system into a clean boot state:
| How-to run Windows in Selective Startup (Clean Boot)… |
| <ol><br><li> <ol><br><li><span>Click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Start</span><span>, click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Control Panel</span><span>, click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">System and Maintenance</span><span>, click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Administrative Tools</span><span>, and then double-click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">System Configuration</span><span>.</span><br></li><li><span>Click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Continue</span><span>, or provide Administrator credentials if prompted.</span><br></li><li><span>Click the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">General</span><span> tab, and click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Selective startup</span><span>.</span><br></li><li><span>Under<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Selective startup</span><span> uncheck<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Load startup items</span><span>.</span><br></li><li><span>Click the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Services</span><span> tab, check the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Hide all Microsoft services</span><span> box, and then click<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Disable all</span><span>.</span><br></li><li><span>Click the<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Apply</span><span>, then<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">OK</span><span>, and then<br></span><span style="font-weight:bold">Restart</span><span>.</span><br></li></ol><br></li></ol> |
- Remember after done troubleshooting this to bring your system back to Normal State by following the steps outlined in step 4, however, instead
of select Selective Startup, select the Normal tab and return the system to normal.
- Try to install the update again.
Coherent Computer Solutions, we note that you were working with a Microsoft Support Phone Technician involving this, have you considered asking for a disk to do the SP2 install from.
Sometimes the download of the files may be getting corrupted and it may also be causing complications in the issue.
If have not already, please do not hesitate in inquiring to do so.
Also, you may want to move forward with an In-Place Upgrade to check if ability to install SP2 would be accomplished.
Your hardware Vendor may be able to provide the Vista Disk for you, or possibly a friend would have a Vista disk that would assist you in accomplishing the In-Place Upgrade.
Regards,
Debbie
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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